Cades Cove is one of the most visited destinations in the national park, and you can experience all it has to offer when you visit! One of the best ways to explore it is on bike. There’s nothing better than feeling some mountain breeze in your hair while you take in all the gorgeous views around you. To help you prepare for an amazing ride, here’s everything you need to know about biking in Cades Cove:
1. What You’ll See
Cades Cove is rich in both history and scenic views, so your bike ride is sure to be one to remember! As you pedal along the loop road, you’ll come across several churches, a working grist mill, barns, log houses, and other faithfully restored structures. Check out these stops you have to make along the Cades Cove Loop Road to discover all the best spots. There are also self-guided tour booklets that you can pick up at the entrance with more information about these buildings and the people who lived in the cove years ago.
2. Best Times to Go
You can go biking in Cades Cove any day you please. However, certain times are much more convenient than others. The loop road is now closed to vehicles every Wednesday through September 1. This time is set aside so that bicyclists and pedestrians can enjoy the cove without having to worry about cars driving alongside them! You’ll have the road all to yourselves.
3. Where to Rent a Bike
If you don’t feel like loading up your bike and bringing it the cove or you simply do not own a bike, don’t worry! You can always stop by the Cades Cove Campground Store and rent one for the afternoon. They offer a wide selection of Fuji cruisers and hybrid bikes for people of all ages. Their bikes are available for you to rent on Wednesdays and Saturdays starting at 6:30 a.m. between early May and late September. Just keep in mind that this store is extremely popular, so it’s best to come early to beat the crowds.
4. What to Wear
The most important thing to remember to wear while you’re biking in Cades Cove is a helmet! For children ages 16 and under, the State of Tennessee requires that they wear a helmet. Other than that, you should really just base what you decide to wear on what the weather is like. If it’s a little chillier you might want to layer up, and if it’s warmer, you could opt for some shorts and a t-shirt. Either way, it’s a smart idea to make sure that the clothes you wear are comfortable and not constricting. Last but not least, don’t forget about the sunscreen!
Now that you know what to expect when you go biking in Cades Cove, you can start looking forward to your visit! Be sure to check out all of the other fun things to do when you visit Cades Cove for an extra memorable experience!
